Worth switching to Sky?

This is a discussion on Worth switching to Sky? within the Sky Broadband help forums, part of the Sky Broadband help and support category; I've been browsing these forums for a while and the Sky section of the Thinkbroadband forums also. I've come across ...

Worth switching to Sky?

I've been browsing these forums for a while and the Sky section of the Thinkbroadband forums also. I've come across quite a few people that have high attenuation values and long line lengths and are managing to get up to 2MB. I guess I kind of know the answer to my question already but I suppose there is no harm in getting the views of others.

I'm currently with AOL (not sure which price plan but I pay 9.99/m) and have a connection speed of 512kb, my line stats are as follows:

Re: Worth switching to Sky?

Hi
If i've interpreted your stats correctly your attenuation is 62 which is quite high and on the limit for an adsl connection. If your line is good with no errors you could expect to sync at upto 2500.
ADSL2+ will only benefit people with low attenuation and can sync above 8000, it is only applied to people on max with good connections as the other packages are limited to 8 meg and less.

Re: Worth switching to Sky?

The most likely reason that the values change are that your line is susceptible to varying noise. This can be minimised to an extent by ensuring your internal wiring is A1. This is more important to you as your att is very high. Have a read of this thread which has some good pointers to ensuring your side of the line is operating as best as it can. Any questions - post back.Cabling and faceplate help - Sky User - The unofficial support forum for everything Sky!

Re: Worth switching to Sky?

Thanks for your reply dholdi....

I agree about the varying noise on my line as I've noticed that the noise margin fluctuates quite a lot... it goes from 3db back to 7db then 5db etc.....

About the wiring side of things......
I posted about my wiring issues in the other section but didn't get a response basically I don't have a master socket. I have a 2 port telephone socket where the master should be and from that only one extension. I want to swap it for a proper NTE5 but BT's T&C's stop you from changing this yourself and they want to charge a horrendous amount. Also, according to their records I do have a NTE5, which is strange. I don't really have a problem with the voice side of things, so I don't want to use that as an excuse, as they can charge for time-wasting etc. Not sure what else to do.

Re: Worth switching to Sky?

There is the diy option but as you say its against the t&cs. The only other options, unless you know a bt technician, is to report your line as noisy on voice calls or pay. When they turn up to check your line they will most likely change it anyway. You sure you definetley dont have one as on some properties they are in the loft - but this is becoming rarer nowadays.

Re: Worth switching to Sky?

Thanks for the reply. I've checked one last time and can't find a master socket.

I spoke to a lady at BT who said that if I were to request an engineer visit and the engineer finds nothing wrong, I will be charged. That was my only concern, I know it's the discretion of the BT engineer whether to charge or not (and put in a master) but I am not in a position to take a chance right now. Nevertheless, I am happy that I'm getting 1.4mb now as apposed to 512kbps!

Re: Worth switching to Sky?

Yes shes right they would charge if you request a visit to check things out but if you report it as a fault ( intermitent noise on your voice calls ) they will most likely fit a master while they are there. Its in their interest to do so as it provides a demarkation point as to where their responsibility for the wiring ends and yours starts.